Kurt Knispel rightfully belongs to the title of the best tanker in history. He knocked out 168 tanks, but did not receive high Reich awards due to his independent character and internal moral convictions. He died very young, at the age of 23, in a battle with the Red Army.
Career start, education and destiny
Kurt Knispel is a famous WWII tanker. Known for knocking out 168 tanks, and this is only a confirmed account. He was modest, easily refused to credit the tank to his account, if there was even a slight doubt. His career was predetermined by his birthplace. This happened on September 20, 21 in the Sudetenland. After the annexation of the Sudetenland to Germany, Kurt Knispel acquired the status of a Sudeten German. He joined the German army, as he should have.
His work and education began at the same time, in 1940. Kurt entered the tank forces and began training as a gunner. The first tank was hit during Operation Barbarossa in the Leningrad region. Its leader was Feldwebel Hans Fendezak, with whom they became best friends. From the very beginning of his career, Knispel was considered a talented gunner. He was distinguished by his visual acuity and quick decision-making.
Participation in hostilities and fighting qualities
In 1942, Kurt Knispel was placed at the disposal of non-commissioned officer Alfred Rubbel, to whom he also became a friend. The new boss called Kurt unique and emphasized his absolute accuracy, clear assessment of the situation and speed of reaction. Rubbel said that the tanker shot and destroyed the enemy even before his order.
In 1943, German troops retreated from the Caucasus. Kurt Knispel completed a training course for the crews of the new heavy tanks "Tiger" in the German Putlos. After that, as part of the 503 tank battalion, he took part in the battles in Ukraine, where he showed his unique abilities. In June 44, the Allies landed in Normandy, the battalion was recalled to Germany, and Knispel was promoted to commander of the Tiger-2 tank.
In 1944, the entire battalion was withdrawn to Germany, after which it was replenished and sent to Hungary. Knispel fought for Debrecen and Budapest. A battalion of tanks was surrounded, a significant part of the composition died, Kurt Knispel survived. Subsequently, the remnants of the battalion broke out of the encirclement with him.
The character of Kurt Knispel and the end of his career
The uncompromising direct character of the rebel did not allow the tanker to receive the high awards of the Reich, which he undoubtedly deserved. The scandal in which Knispel stood up for a Soviet prisoner by beating an SS officer was widely known. There are opinions of historians who claim that Kurt had a fight with the escort who mocked the prisoner of war.
Subsequently, the conflict became known in the power structures, and the career of a talented tanker was over. If the unit commanders hadn't defended him, Kurt could have gone to court. Colleagues recalled Kurt as a humble person with a heightened sense of duty. Despite his modesty, he openly discussed the qualities and behavior of the commanders.
On the frame of the official German chronicle of 44 years, Knispel decided to stand out by hanging himself an award gold cross not according to the rules and overshadowing his breast eagle.
End of life, results and achievements
There was a week before the end of the war, when an exceptional tanker died. It was on the border between Austria and the Czech Republic. Historians differ about the last battle, but most eyewitnesses claim that Knispel died of a wound in a battle in which he knocked out his last tank. Unlike other tank commanders who were not at the sight, he won most of his victories personally.
In the biography of Kurt Knispel, his personal life is never mentioned. Either he was never married, having spent all his youth in the war, or there is no information about this. He was raised by a family of Sudeten Germans, the professions of his parents are unknown.
